Refrigerant

Changeover Guidelines
HCFC R-22 to HFC R-422A/D
for Medium and Low
Temperature Applications
Leading the Industry with Environmentally
Responsible Refrigerant Solutions
 Emerson Climate
Technologies, Inc.
does not advocate the
wholesale changeover
of HCFCs to HFCs. If
a system is not leak-
ing refrigerant to the
atmosphere, and is
operating properly, there is no technical reason to replace
the HCFC refrigerant. In fact, changing the refrigerant
may void the U.L. listing of the system. However, once
the decision has been made to make the change from
HCFC R-22 to HFC R-422A/D, the following guidelines
are recommended.
The following guidelines only apply to Copeland®
brand Discus™ compressors in existing refrigeration
medium and low temperature systems. Copeland
Scroll® compressors are being evaluated for their
acceptance of these refrigerants in similar medium
and low temperature refrigeration systems.
These refrigerants are not approved for use in any
air conditioning systems using Copeland® brand
compressors. For any updates contact Emerson Cli-
mate Technologies, Inc.
CONSIDERATIONS
1. Retrofitting systems that employ compressors
manufactured prior to 1973 is not recommended.
This is due to the different materials used in
motor insulation that have not been evaluated for
compatibility with the new refrigerants and
lubricants. Failure to heed this advice will violate
the U.L. Standard For Field Conversion/Retrofit
Of Alternate Refrigerants In Refrigeration and Air
Conditioning Equipment (U.L.2170-2172).
2. HFC refrigerants have generally required the
use of polyol ester (POE) lubricants in order to
ensure oil return. However, R-422A/D contains
a small percentage of isobutane that promotes
adequate oil return in properly piped systems with
oil separators and no change out of the mineral
oil or alkylbenzene is required. Minor equipment
modifications such as replacement or adjustment
of the expansion device may be required in some
applications.
WARNING: Use only Emerson Climate Technologies Inc. approved refrigerants and lubricants in the manner
prescribed by Emerson Climate Technologies Inc. In some circumstances, other refrigerants and lubricants
may be dangerous and could cause fires, explosions or electrical shorting. Contact Emerson Climate Tech-
nologies Inc., Sidney, Ohio for more information.
Oil return is determined by a number of design
and operating conditions. In some systems a small
amount, up to 5%, of POE may need to be added
to assist in oil return.
While 422A/D will operate properly with an oil charge
of 100% POE, the POE can dislodge debris in older
systems requiring liquid line filter drier change outs
to keep the system free of this debris.
3. The system capacity and efficiency will be some-
what different with R-422A/D than with HCFC R-22.
In most multiple compressor racks, there should
still be adequate capacity. However, it is strongly
recommended that system capacity verification be
done using the refrigerant manufacturer published
comparison factors.
The RLA values for R-422A/D are higher than those
for HCFC-22. The values are similar for those of
HFC-404A. The sizing of wires, contactors, and
breakers should be checked to ensure that they
are adequate.
4. R-422A/D can be used in either low or medium
temperature systems. R-422A/D should not be
mixed with any other refrigerant!
5. When retrofitting from R-22 to R-422A the
expansion valves will need to be replaced with
a valve suitable for R-404A. In some cases only
the power element of the expansion valve can be
changed, but where this is not possible the entire
valve must be replaced with the equivalent capacity
R-404A model.
When retrofitting from R-22 to R-422D, the
expansion valve will likely not require replacement;
however, it is recommended that the valve loadings
be evaluated to verify that they are adequate. Fol-
lowing the retrofit, superheat should be checked
and adjusted if necessary.
6. Filter-driers must be changed at the time of
conversion. This is proper air conditioning/
refrigeration practice.
a. Solid core driers such as Emerson Climate
Technologies ADK are compatible with either
HCFC R-22 or R-422A/D.
 b. Compacted bead type driers such as the
Emerson Climate Technologies EK series are
also compatible.
c. Loose fill type driers are not recommended and
should be replaced with the types referenced
in a. and b. above.
7. Pressure regulators such as EPR valves may have
to be reset. Contact the EPR manufacturer for the
correct settings.
8. R-422A exhibit higher pressures than HCFC R-
22 at normal condensing temperatures. This may
require that the high pressure safety controls be
reset in order to operate as intended.
9. Systems that use a low pressure controller to
maintain space temperature may need to have
the cut in and cut out points changed. Although
R-422A/D does exhibit “glide”, the average evapo-
rator or condenser temperature is within 0.5ºF of
the saturated vapor temperature; therefore no
correction is required.
10. Systems using R-422A/D should have approxi-
mately the same system pressure drop as with
HCFC R-22. Check with the manufacturer of any
pressure regulators and pilot operated solenoid
valves used in the system to be sure that they will
operate properly.
NOTE: R-422A/D is not compatible with the seal
material used in the HCFC R-22 Moduload Unload-
ing system of 3D compressors. If your system
has Moduload, the valve plate assembly MUST be
changed.
Consult your Emerson Climate Technologies wholesaler
for the proper part numbers.
Many other system seals such as elastomeric seals,
gaskets, and valve packing may be affected by the
change over from HCFC R-22 to R-422A/D. The part
manufacturer should be contacted for their recommen-
dations as to whether the seals need to be changed or
replaced.
Before starting the changeover, it is suggested that at
least the following items be readily available:
1. Safety glasses
2. Gloves
3. Refrigerant service gauges
4. Electronic thermometer
5. Vacuum pump capable of pulling 250 microns
6. Thermocouple micron gauge
7. Leak detector
8. Refrigerant recovery unit including refrigerant
cylinder
9. Proper container for removed lubricant
10. New liquid control device
11. Replacement liquid line filter-drier(s)
12. New Mineral Oil lubricant
13. R-422A/D pressure temperature chart
14. R-422A/D refrigerant
CHANGEOVER PROCEDURE
1. The system should be thoroughly leak tested with
the HCFC R-22 refrigerant still in the system. All
leaks should be repaired before the R-422A/D
refrigerant is added.
2. It is advisable that the system compressor operat-
ing conditions be recorded with the HCFC R-22
still in the system. This will provide the base data
for comparison when the system is put back into
operation with the R422A/D.
3. Disconnect electrical power to system.
4. Properly remove the HCFC R-22 from the compres-
sor. Measure and note the amount removed.
5. Replace the liquid line filter-drier with one that is
compatible with R-422A/D.
6. Replace the expansion valve or power element to
a model approved for R-404A (only required when
retrofitting from R-22 to R-422A).
7. Evacuate the system to 250 microns. A vacuum
decay test is suggested to assure the system is
dry and leak free.
8. Recharge the system with R-422A/D.
9. Charge the system with R-422A/D. Charge to 90%
of the refrigerant removed in item 4. R-422A/D must
leave the charging cylinder in the liquid phase. It
is suggested that a sight glass be connected be-
tween the charging hose and compressor suction
service valve. This will permit adjustment of the
cylinder valve to assure the refrigerant enters the
compressor in the vapor state.
10. Operate the system. Record the data and compare
to the data taken in item 2. Check and adjust theTEV
 superheat setting if necessary. Make adjustments
to other controls as needed. Additional R-422A/D CAUTION: These guidelines are intended for
may have to be added to obtain optimum system use with R-422A/D only. Other refrigerants may
performance. not be compatible with the materials used in our
compressors or the lubricants recommended in
11. Properly label the components. Tag the compres-
this bulletin resulting in unacceptable reliability and
sor with the refrigerant used (R-422A/D) and the
durability of the compressor.
lubricant used. The proper color code for R-422A
is Yellow PMS (Paint Matching System) 128; for
R-422D, Green, PMS 375.

HFC R-422A Saturated Vapor/Liquid Pressure/Temperature Chart

Press. Vapor Liquid Press. Vapor Liquid Press. Vapor Liquid
PSIG Temp. °F Temp. °F PSIG Temp. °F Temp. °F PSIG Temp. °F Temp. °F
3 -40 -44 80 38 35 230 99 97
4 -38 -42 85 41 38 235 100 98
6 -34 -38 90 44 41 240 102 100
8 -30 -34 95 47 44 245 103 101
10 -27 -31 100 49 46 250 105 103

12 -23 -27 105 52 49 255 106 104

14 -20 -24 110 54 51 260 107 105
16 -18 -21 115 57 54 265 109 107
18 -15 -19 120 59 56 270 110 108
20 -12 -16 125 61 59 275 111 110

22 -10 -13 130 63 61 280 113 111

24 -7 -11 135 66 63 285 114 112
26 -5 -9 140 68 65 290 115 113
28 -3 -6 145 70 67 295 116 115
30 -1 -4 150 72 69 300 118 116

32 1 -2 155 74 71 310 120 118

34 3 0 160 76 73 320 122 121
36 5 2 165 78 75 330 125 123
38 7 4 170 79 77 340 127 125
40 9 6 175 81 79 350 129 128

42 11 7 180 83 81 360 131 130

44 13 9 185 85 82 370 133 132
46 14 11 190 86 84 380 135 134
48 16 13 195 88 86 390 137 136
50 18 14 200 90 87 400 139 138

55 21 18 205 91 89
60 25 22 210 93 91
65 29 25 215 94 92
70 32 29 220 96 94
75 35 32 225 97 95
 HFC R-422D Saturated Vapor/Liquid Pressure/Temperature Chart
Press. Vapor Liquid Press. Vapor Liquid Press. Vapor Liquid
PSIG Temp. °F Temp. °F PSIG Temp. °F Temp. °F PSIG Temp. °F Temp. °F
2.5” -40 -48
0 -36 -45
2 -32 -40 80 49 43 230 110 106
4 -27 -36 85 52 46 235 111 107
6 -23 -32 90 55 49 240 113 109
8 -20 -28 95 57 52 245 114 110
10 -16 -24 100 60 54 250 116 112

12 -13 -21 105 63 57 255 117 113

14 -10 -18 110 65 59 260 118 114
16 -7 -15 115 67 62 265 120 116
18 -4 -12 120 70 64 270 121 117
20 -2 -9 125 72 67 275 122 119

22 1 -7 130 74 69 280 124 120

24 3 -4 135 76 71 285 125 121
26 6 -2 140 79 73 290 126 123
28 8 0 145 81 76 295 127 124
30 10 3 150 83 78 300 129 125

32 12 5 155 85 80 310 131 128

34 14 7 160 87 82 320 133 130
36 16 9 165 88 84 330 136 132
38 18 11 170 90 85 340 138 135
40 20 13 175 92 87 350 140 137

42 21 15 180 94 89 360 142 139

44 23 16 185 96 91 370 144 141
46 25 18 190 97 93 380 146 144
48 27 20 195 99 94 390 148 146
50 28 21 200 101 96 400 150 148

55 32 25 205 102 98
60 36 29 210 104 99
65 39 33 215 105 101
70 43 36 220 107 103
75 46 40 225 108 104
The information contained herein is based on technical data and tests which we believe to be reliable and is
intended for use by persons having technical skill, at their own discretion and risk. Since conditions of use are
beyond Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc. control, we can assume no liability for results obtained or damages
incurred through the application of the data presented.
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